China Airlines (CAL) (Chinese: ????; pinyin: Zh?nghuá Hángk?ng) (TWSE: 2610) is the largest airline in Taiwan and the flag carrier of the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is headquartered in Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and has approximately 11,000 employees. China Airlines operates over 1,300 flights weekly to 95 airports in 91 cities across Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. The cargo division, on the other hand, operates 87 pure freighter flights weekly to 33 destinations. The carrier was, in 2013, the 29th largest airline in the world in terms of passenger RPK (revenue per kilometer) and the 9th largest in terms of freight RPK. China Airlines has three airline subsidiaries: Mandarin Airlines operates flights to domestic and regional destinations with smaller demands; China Airlines Cargo operates a fleet of freighter aircraft and manages its parent airline's cargo-hold capacity; Tigerair Taiwan is a low-cost carrier established by China Airlines and Singaporean airline group Tigerair Holdings.
§History
§Formation and early years (1959-1995)
With a fleet of two PBY Amphibians, China Airlines was established on December 16, 1959, with its shares completely held by the Republic of China government. It was founded by a retired air force officer and initially concentrated on charter flights. During the 1960s, China Airlines was able to establish its first scheduled routes. In October 1962, a flight from Taipei to Hualien became the airline's first domestic service. Later, with the introduction of Caravelle and Boeing 727-100s,the airlines introduced international flights to South Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Japan. With the airlines' first two Boeing 707 aircraft,trans-Pacific flights to San Francisco via Tokyo were initiated on February 2, 1970. The expansion of the company's 707 fleet also permitted more services in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and North America (via Japan and Hawaii).
Following the standard utilization of the wide-body 747 on the highly profitable Trans Pacific - USA routes, China Airlines introduced its first two 747-100s (ex-Delta Airlines aircraft) in 1976 and immediately placed it on its Hong Kong-Taipei-Tokyo-Honolulu-Los Angeles route. Shortly thereafter, four brand new Boeing 747SP (Special Performance) were introduced in 1977. Due to political pressure, Japan ended its diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1972, and all flights between Taiwan and Japan were stopped. The 747SP aircraft made it possible for China Airlines to fly daily nonstop services from Taipei to its North American destinations without stopping over in Japan. It also allowed the airlines to introduce flights to Saudi Arabia and South Africa. In 1979, the airlines switched all operations from the small downtown Songshan International Airport to the newly built Chiang Kai-shek International Airport (current Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport). Following the introduction of 747-200s, the airlines introduced its first European destination, Amsterdam.
In 1978, Japan allowed China Airlines to return to Tokyo International Airport at Haneda after relocating all other airlines at the New Tokyo International Airport at Narita, leaving China Airlines as the sole international operator at Haneda, which at the time was an exclusive domestic facility. The premise being that air carriers from the PRC and Taiwan were prevented crossing paths at any Japanese airports. Thus CAL's Osaka service, due to the city's only airport at Itami, would not be reinstated until years later. Oddly enough, the crossing of flag-carriers (Taiwan based-airlines and Mainland China PRC based-airlines) occurred almost hourly at then British-controlled Hong Kong's Kaitak International Airport. Adversely, other regional airports such as Bangkok, Singapore and Manila were entirely spared of this indignity imposed on Japan by China.
The next 20 years saw sporadic but far-reaching growth for the company. Later, the airline inaugurated its own round-the-world flight: (Taipei-Anchorage-New York-Amsterdam-Dubai-Taipei). 1993 saw China Airlines listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange. Later CAL would place one of the largest orders for the newest Boeing 747. The new 747s and an earlier an order with Airbus for over a dozen A300B4 wide body regional jets allowed for addition destination growth.
§Change of logo and livery (1995-2010)
As the flag carrier for the Republic of China, China Airlines has been affected by disputes over the political status of Taiwan, and under pressure from the People's Republic of China was barred from flying into a number of countries maintaining diplomatic relations with the PRC. As a result, in the mid-1990s, China Airlines subsidiary Mandarin Airlines took over some of its Sydney and Vancouver international routes. Partly as a way to avoid the international controversy, in 1995 China Airlines unveiled its "plum blossom" logo, replacing the national flag, which had previously appeared on the tail fins (empennage), and the aircraft livery from the red-white-blue national colors on the fuselage of its aircraft. Plum blossom (Prunus mume) is the National Flower of the Republic of China.
Throughout the 1990s, the airline employed many ex-ROC Air Force pilots. Due to the company's poor safety record in the 1990s, China Airlines began to change its pilot recruitment practices and the company began to actively recruit civilian-trained pilots with proven track records. In addition, the company began recruiting university graduates as trainees in its own pilot training program. The company also modified its maintenance and operational procedures. These decisions were instrumental in the company's improved safety record, culminating in the company's recognition by the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).
During the 1990s and early 2000s, China Airlines placed orders for various airliners including the Airbus A330, Airbus A340, Boeing 737-800, and the Boeing 747-400 (Both the passenger and freighter version).
Due to improving cross-strait relations, the first cross-strait charter flights between Taiwan and China were introduced in 2003, with China Airlines' flight 585, operated by a Boeing 747-400, being the first Taiwanese flight to legally land in China. (The aircraft took off from Taoyuan Airport, stopped over at Hong Kong Airport, and landed at Shanghai Pudong Airport.) In 2005, the first nonstop cross-strait charter flights were initiated, with China Airlines' flight 581 (Taoyuan Airport to Beijing Capital Airport) being the first flight of the program to depart from Taiwan. In 2008, the first regular weekend charter flights between Taiwan and China started operating, with daily charter flights introduced later in the year. In 2009, regularly scheduled cross-strait flights were finally introduced.
§Joining SkyTeam and "NexGen" Plan (2010-present)
China Airlines signed an agreement to begin the process of joining the SkyTeam airline alliance on September 14, 2010 and officially became a full member on September 28, 2011. This was marked by an update to the logo of the airline and the typeface in which "China Airlines" is printed. The carrier was the first Taiwanese airline to join an airline alliance.
In December 2013, China Airlines announced its new joint venture with Singaporean low cost carrier Tigerair Holdings to establish Tigerair Taiwan. The new airline flew its inaugural flight to Singapore on 26 September 2014 and became the first low-cost carrier in Taiwan. China Airlines Group currently holds a 90 percent share in the new carrier (China Airlines 80%, Mandarin Airlines 10%), while Tigerair Holdings holds the other 10 percent.
In March 2014, China Airlines announced that it will be launching a "NexGen (Next Generation)" plan to complement the delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER. The plan, designed to refresh the carrier's brand image, includes fleet replacements, product innovations, and new uniform introductions. Through cooperating with designers from the Greater China region, the carrier hopes to introduce unique product offerings that can showcase the beauty of the East and the cultural creativity of Taiwan.
The first phase of the plan has been rolled out following the delivery of China Airlines' first Boeing 777-300ER and the renovation of the carrier's lounge at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1. Future phases of the plan includes the introduction of new uniforms, retirement of the Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-300, announcement of new narrow-body orders, and new cabin designs on the Airbus A350-900XWB.
§Headquarters
China Airlines has its headquarters, CAL Park (Chinese: ????; pinyin: Huáháng Yuánq?), on the grounds of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in Dayuan Township, Taoyuan County. CAL Park, located at the airport entrance, forms a straight line with Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and the future Terminal 3.
Previously China Airlines had its headquarters in Songshan District, Taipei. Previously China Airlines had operations at its headquarters, facilities on the east side of Taipei Songshan Airport, and at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The airline consolidated all of those functions in its new headquarters site. The airline will rent space in the six floors making up its former headquarters to tenants. The monthly rent will be $2,000 New Taiwan Dollars per ping. In September 2009 the airline estimated that it would make $7 million NTW in monthly rental income. Han Liang-zhong, a China Airlines vice president, said that the rental income would cover the bank loans that the airline borrowed to finance the construction of the CAL Park. As a result of the headquarters move, China Airlines will develop part of the training center at Taipei Songshan Airport into a business aviation center. The airline's Taipei Branch Office (Chinese: ?????; pinyin: Táib?i F?ng?ngs?) remains at the former headquarters site.
§Branding
§Livery and uniforms
Prior to introducing the current "plum blossom" livery in 1995, China Airlines used to have a livery featuring the flag of the Republic of China on the tail. The carrier changed its livery due to political pressure from the Chinese government. The mainland government prohibited any aircraft flying with the Republic of China Flag displayed to land in the mainland, Hong Kong and Macau. It also pressured other countries to carry out similar bans. This forced China Airlines to change its corporate identity in order to avoid having operations affected.
In 2011, after joining Skyteam, the carrier made alterations to its logo in hopes of refreshing its brand image. A new font was chosen for the company name and a new approach was taken for the appearance of the plum blossom trademark.
China Airlines has had many uniforms since its establishment in 1959. The current uniform debuted in 2007 to celebrate the carrier's 47th anniversary. A new uniform will be introduced in May 2015 to celebrate the company entering a 'Next Generation' era.
§Marketing slogans
China Airlines has used different slogans throughout its operational history. In 2006, the current slogan was introduced to complement the new uniforms and to celebrate the 47th anniversary. China Airlines' slogans have been as follows:
- "We treasure every encounter" (1987-1995)
- "We blossom everyday" (1995-2006)
- "Journey with a caring smile" (2006-present)
§Destinations
China Airlines has its largest hub at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which is the largest airport in Taiwan and is located near the national capital of Taipei. China Airlines operate out of both Terminal 1 and 2 at the airport. Operations to Europe, India, Korea, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia are located at Terminal 1 while those to China, Japan, North America and Oceania are located at Terminal 2. Additionally, China Airlines and its domestic subsidiary Mandarin Airlines operate numerous flights out of Kaohsiung International Airport and Taipei Songshan Airport. International flights from Songshan Airport to three Northeast Asian downtown airports, namely Tokyo-Haneda, Seoul-Gimpo and Shanghai-Hongqiao, have important significance to the carrier as the routes form a "Northeast Asia Golden Flight Circle".
The expansion of China Airlines international presence has long been limited by the political status of Taiwan. Currently, the carrier is still unable to offer flights to destinations such as Paris. Flights to Mainland China were also not permitted until 2003, when the carrier's Chinese New Year charter flight 585 from Taipei-Taoyuan to Shanghai-Pudong via Hong Kong made China Airlines the first Taiwanese carrier to legally land in China and the first carrier to legally fly between the two areas. The carrier operated occasional cross-strait charter flights for another few years until 2008, when regular charters flights started. In 2009, a new air service agreement allowed China Airlines to start regularly scheduled flights to the Mainland. Since then, China has quickly become the largest market for China Airlines, with over 150 flights to 32 destinations across the Mainland.
China Airlines currently operates over 1,300 flights weekly (including pure cargo flights) to 95 airports in 91 cities on four continents.
§Future Plans
China Airlines has announced that the carrier is evaluating a new Canadian destination, which will most likely be Calgary or Toronto. The route may start as early as March 2015, after the ratification of the new air services agreement between Canada and Taiwan.
China Airlines will be starting charter flights to Saint Petersburg in Summer 2015 and is studying the possibilities of launching a new route to Istanbul.
China Airlines has been extremely active in launching regional routes. In December 2014, the carrier announced that it will be starting flights to cities in the Tohoku region and Hokuriku region. The carrier is also actively participating in cross-strait flight distributions. In January 2015, it received rights to start flights to Changzhou, Jieyang and Wuxi.
The carrier is considering increasing the frequencies of its North American, Beijing and Shanghai routes utilizing the Boeing 747-400 fleet, which may be having its retirement plan postponed due to falling oil prices.
§
China Airlines has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:
In addition, China Airlines has a codeshare agreement with Deutsche Bahn (DB). Under the agreement, China Airlines places its CI code on seven Frankfurt-initiating DB routes, including those to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Nuremberg, and Stuttgart
§Fleet
§Current Fleet
The China Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft with an average age of 10 years (as of March 2015).
§Fleet plans
China Airlines is undergoing a long-haul fleet renewal program. In 2008, the carrier firmed up an order for 14 Airbus A350-900 aircraft along with another 6 options. In 2012, an order for 6 Boeing 777-300ER and a lease agreement with GECAS for 4 more of the type were confirmed. Both the Airbus A350-900 and the Boeing 777-300ER will be replacements of the carrier's Airbus A340-300 and Boeing 747-400 on intercontinental routes. Deliveries of the Airbus A350-900 will start in 2016 while those for the Boeing 777-300ER has started in 2014.
In June 2014, the airline announced plans to retire all of its Boeing 747-400 and Airbus A340-300. Two Boeing 747-400, namely N168CL and B-18251, were retired in December 2014, while an Airbus A340-300, in particular B-18801, was retired in March 2015. However, due to falling oil prices, the carrier is considering postponing the 747 retirement plan in favor of increasing the frequencies of its North American, Beijing and Shanghai routes with the quad-engine aircraft type.
Regarding the narrow-body fleet, in January 2015, the airline's president Sun Hung-Hsiang announced that the airline is planning on ordering 50 narrow-body aircraft for itself and its subsidiaries Mandarin Airlines and Tigerair Taiwan. Types in consideration includes the Boeing 737MAX and Airbus A320neo.
The airlines has been leasing various Airbus A330-300s and Boeing 737-800s to meet short term demands.
§Cargo
China Airlines Cargo is the airline's freight division, operating in Asia, Europe and North America. It operates a fleet of 19 freighters to 38 destinations around the world, in addition to utilising the cargo space on its passenger aircraft. China Airlines operates one of the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747-400Fs. The carrier was, in 2013, the 9th largest airline in the world in terms of freight RPK (revenue per kilometer).
§Cargo fleet plans
China Airlines has been suffering from falling cargo demands and has sent 3 Boeing 747-400Fs to an aircraft boneyard at Victorville Airport for storage. In 2015, due to improving global economic conditions, the carrier has decided to reactivate 1 stored freighter plane, which will return to the fleet by August 2015. The other 2 planes may be reactivated if market demand is strong.
§Special liveries
China Airlines' first special livery was introduced in 2003 with the design originating from the theme of "Taiwan Touch Your Heart". The project was in collaboration with the Tourism Bureau of Taiwan in order to promote tourism to Taiwan. However, the plane was painted back to the normal livery before it left the hangar. Currently, China Airlines has a total of 9 special livery aircraft in service.
§Taiwanese culture and creativity series
In 2013, China Airlines revealed plans to paint up to 20 Taiwan-themed special livery aircraft. The carrier will collaborate with Taiwanese artists, cultural workers, and tourism bureaus to design the special liveries.
Aircraft part of the series are listed below:
- B-18355 (Airbus A330-300) - "Welcome to Taiwan" Livery, in collaboration with the Tourism Bureau
- B-18358 (Airbus A330-300) - "Masalu! Taiwan" Livery, in collaboration with Paiwan artist Sakuliu Pavavalung and the Council of Indigenous Peoples
- B-18361 (Airbus A330-300) - "Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan" Livery, in collaboration with Cloud Gate Dance Theatre
- B-18203 (Boeing 747-400) - Love & Hug Livery, in collaboration with illustrator Jimmy Liao
§Skyteam alliance livery
China Airlines has two aircraft, listed below, painted in the Skyteam alliance livery:
- B-18311 (Airbus A330-300)
- B-18206 (Boeing 747-400) - Sole Boeing 747 wearing the Skyteam livery
§50 years anniversary series
In 2009, China Airlines printed a 50 years anniversary icon on one plane of each of its plane type: A330, A340, 737, 747, and 747F.
Existing 50 years anniversary livery jets are listed below:
- B-18606 (Boeing 737-800)
- B-18208 (Boeing 747-400)
Planes with 50 years anniversary icons removed are listed below:
- B-18302 (Airbus A330-300)
- B-18806 (Airbus A340-300)
- B-18725 (Boeing 747-400F)
§Other special liveries
Existing
- B-18806 (Airbus A340-300) - "The Official Airline for Climate Monitoring" Livery, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Administration, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Central University. The plane is equipped with the "In-service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS)" to monitor global climate changes.
Removed
- B-18305 (Airbus A330-300) - Butterfly Orchid Livery
- B-18311 (Airbus A330-300) - "Sweet" Fruit Livery
- B-18610 (Boeing 737-800) - Lavender Livery
- B-18210 (Boeing 747-400) - Boeing Hybrid Livery
§Cabin classes
§First Class
First Class is offered on seven three-class Boeing 747 aircraft that primarily serve the routes to San Francisco, Beijing and Shanghai. There are 12 flat-bed First Class seats located in each of the three-class Boeing 747s nose sections. Each seat features a 15.1-inch personal screen with Audio and Video On Demand (AVOD), USB port, universal power outlet, and noise cancelling headphone. Turndown service is offered by cabin crew upon request.
§Business Class
Business Class, formerly known as Dynasty Class, is offered on all China Airlines aircraft.
§Premium Business Class
Premium Business Class is available on the Boeing 777-300ERs. The seats are configured in a 1-2-1 layout, offering every passenger direct aisle access. The seat is 78 inch long in full flat mode. Each seat features natural woodgrain table, adjustable reading lights, multiple storage bins, AC and USB sockets and a 18-inch multiple-touch screen with touchscreen-control. Turndown service is offered by cabin crew upon request while the self-service galley bar, Flying Oasis, offers snacks, instant noodles and drinks for passengers during in-flight.
§Recliner and angle-flat seats
On the long haul Airbus A330-300s, there are 36 shell seats with 63" of pitch and 166° of recline; on the short haul A330s, there are 30 shell seats with 52" of pitch and 140° of recline. On Airbus A340-300s, there are 30 recliner-style seats with 60" inches of pitch and 150° of recline. All Business Class seats on the Airbus fleet have in-seat power and personal television screens.
Boeing 747 aircraft equipped with First Class have 49 Business Class seats, while those without First Class have 70 Business Class seats. All seats offer 60" of pitch and in-seat power. The recliner-style seats of newer (Version 3) aircraft have 140° of recline and 10.4" IFE displays, while the shelled angled-lie-flat seats of the refurbished (Versions 4 and 5) aircraft have 160° of recline and 15" IFE displays. Boeing 737-800 aircraft are equipped with 8 recliners styles seats with 40" of pitch.
§Premium Economy Class
Premium Economy Class is a new class type offered exclusively on the Boeing 777-300ERs. The class features fixed-back seats, 12.1-inch multiple-touch screens, USB ports, universal power outlets, footrests, leg-rests, and tables with adjustable tablet holders. Passengers traveling in Premium Economy Class will receive complimentary amenity kits, slippers and inflatable neck-rests. The seat pitch is approximately 39 inch.
§Economy Class
Economy Class on all aircraft features 31-32" of pitch and, except on Boeing 737 aircraft, IFE screens ranging from 6.5" to 11.1" inch size.
§Family Couch
Family Couch is a new product exclusively featured on long haul flights operated by the Boeing 777-300ER. It is a set of three Economy class seats in the first 10 rows on the right of the Economy Class cabin and can be easily converted into a large surface area. By booking three adjacent Family Couch seats on long-haul flights, passengers can lie flat on their backs.
Array§In-flight services
§Meal services
Food and beverages served on flights from Taipei are provided by China Pacific Catering Services (CPCS) facilities in Taipei. China Airlines offers a variety of meals on intercontinental routes, depending on seat class, destination and flight length. Western and Eastern menu selections are typically offered, including seasonal menu selections varied by destination. Special meal offerings can be requested in each class during booking, including children's, religious, vegetarian, and other meals. Meals from famous Taiwanese restaurants or hotels are offered, mostly to First and Business Class passengers.
China Airlines also offers refreshments (also known as light meals) or snack boxes on all of their international flights. Mixed nuts are offered to customers in all classes before flight while pre-flight drinks are served exclusively to First and Business Class passengers.
§Flying Oasis
The Boeing 777-300ER of China Airlines features a galley bar, "Flying Oasis" (formerly named as Sky Lounge), for Premium Business Class passengers to serve themselves with coffee, tea, alcoholic beverages, cup noodles, or snacks. The bar area also features social areas, located next to the exits.
§In-flight entertainment
"Fantasy Sky", China Airlines' in-flight entertainment system, is available on all aircraft with Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD). Fantasy Sky contains over 100 movies, television shows, songs, and video games, as well as aircraft exterior views (such as that from the nose wheel), company information, and connecting flight data (available prior to landing). It is available in three languages: English, Japanese, and Mandarin.
On the Boeing 777-300ER, "Fantasy Sky" features Duty Free catalogues, E-Books, surveys, chatrooms.
In-flight Wi-Fi, utilizing the T-Mobile systems, is available on the Boeing 777-300ER once the plane reaches cruising altitude. Passengers can enjoy internet connection by paying through the system.
§In-flight magazines
China Airlines publishes a total of 3 in-flight magazines for its passengers: DYNASTY, Fantasy Sky, and Sky Boutique.
DYNASTY, the China Airlines magazine, has articles in English, Chinese, and Japanese. The articles feature local and international events, descriptive culture, social introductions, personal interviews, in-flight entertainment instructions, and China Airlines' news.
Fantasy Sky, China Airlines' in-flight entertainment guide, provides information on the movies, videos, music, and radio channels being offered.
Sky Boutique is China Airlines' duty-free catalogue.
§Dynasty Flyer
Dynasty Flyer is China Airlines' frequent flyer program. There are four tiers where three elite tiers are Gold, Emerald, and Paragon. Members can qualify for these elite tiers by earning enough air miles and/or segments within 12 calendar months. Elite members have more privileges such as access to the VIP Lounge, a higher checked baggage allowance, and being able to upgrade their ticket to a different cabin. All elite memberships last two years and soft landings are available.
§Dynasty Lounges
China Airlines' airline lounges are called Dynasty Lounge and Dynasty Supreme Lounge. There are a total of 10 China Airlines lounges at 8 different airports. Lounge services at other China Airlines destinations are offered by partner airlines or local operators.
§Dynasty Supreme Lounge
The Dynasty Supreme Lounge is exclusive for first class passengers along with Dynasty Flyer Paragon card holders. Currently, there is only one Dynasty Supreme Lounge, located in Terminal 2 at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. The lounge features 65 seats, suites in different sizes, and shower rooms. Dining services and computers are offered while Wi-Fi is available throughout the lounge.
§Dynasty Lounge
The Dynasty Lounge is available to both first and business class passengers and Dynasty Flyer Gold, Emerald, and Paragon card holders. Dynasty Lounge features vary by location. Services typically include meals, refreshments, free Wi-Fi access, computers, televisions, publications, shower facilities, and breast-feeding rooms. Sleeping quarters and tea bars are featured at the newly renovated Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 lounge, which was designed by Taiwanese architect Ray Chen.
Location of Dynasty Lounges are listed below
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1
- Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2
- Kaohsiung International Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 1
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport
- Tokyo Narita International Airport Terminal 2
- Honolulu International Airport
- San Francisco International Airport
§Private bus services in the United States
In the United States, China Airlines operates private bus services from airports with China Airlines flights to areas.
The airline operates a bus to John F. Kennedy International Airport from Fort Lee, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Edison in northern New Jersey, and several points in Greater Philadelphia, including Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Center City Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia. Previously the shuttle served Chinatown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Taipei Times reported that passengers "highly appreciated" the China Airlines JFK bus service.
The airline operates a bus to San Francisco International Airport from Milpitas and Cupertino in California. The airline operates a bus to Los Angeles International Airport from Monterey Park and the Rowland Heights area of unincorporated Los Angeles County in California.
Previously the airline operated free buses in Houston, Texas and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The Houston bus service served Sugar Land and the Houston Chinatown. It ended in 2008 when China Airlines ended its Houston service.
§Technological initiatives
China Airlines launched more methods to check in for flights. Among them were self-check in utilizing a kiosk at Taoyuan Airport and other selected destinations. China Airlines also offers check-in via mobile phone. Passengers can use the "CI Mobile" application to check flight arrivals and departures and check in for their flights.
China Airlines Cargo, the cargo division of the airline, was the first airline operating out of Taipei to fully switch to e-air waybill, a method that eliminates the need for all paper documents when issuing air waybills, and one of the nine countries/territories and airlines (include both the airline and Taiwan) selected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to run the e-AWB pilot programme. The airline also allows customers to track freight and flights on their smartphones through the "CAL Cargo" application.
§Subsidiaries and associates
China Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including ground handling, aviation engineering, inflight catering.
Companies with major China Airlines Group stake include:
§Incidents and accidents
Between 1994 and 2002, China Airlines suffered 4 fatal accidents, 3 of which each resulted in over 200 deaths. The accidents contributed to the airline having a poor reputation for safety, partly blamed on an air force-influenced pilot culture. Since then, the airline's safety record has seen an improvement. In 2007, in an article published after the explosion of Flight 120, The Wall Street Journal quoted analysts as saying the airline has had "a marked improvement in safety and operational performance since 2002", with the mid-air disintegration of Flight 611 being "a catalyst for an overhaul" in its safety practices.
China Airlines has suffered numerous incidents and accidents since its formation. The last major accident was in 2007, while the last fatal accident occurred in 2002:
- On 2 January 1969, Flight 227, a Douglas C-47A, struck the side of Mount Paku, Taiwan after encountering turbulence and a downdraft. The aircraft was operating a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Taitung Airport to Kaohsiung International Airport. All 24 passengers and crew were killed.
- On 12 August 1970, Flight 206, a NAMC YS-11A, struck a ridge in thick fog while on approach to Taipei, killing 14 of 31 on board.
- On 20 November 1971, Flight 825, a Caravelle III aircraft, blew up after a bomb on it exploded, causing the deaths of 25 people over the Penghu Islands.
- On 24 March 1975, Douglas C-47A B-1553 crashed at Kompong Cham following a mid-air collision with a Cessna L-19 Bird Dog.
- On 11 September 1979, Boeing 707-320C, registration B-1834, crashed off Chiang Kai-shek International Airport shortly after takeoff during a training flight, killing all six crew on board.
- On 27 February 1980, Flight 811, a CAL Boeing 707-300C, registration B-1826, crashed short of the runway at Manila International Airport, killing two of 135 on board.
- On 21 August 1983, Flight 811, a Boeing 767-200 from Taipei, landed in Manila International Airport. Benigno Aquino Jr. the former senator in Philippines was assassinated after being escorted from the plane.
- On 19 February 1985, Flight 006, a Boeing 747SP, performed an uncontrolled descent over the Pacific Ocean resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft.
- On 16 February 1986, Flight 2265, a Boeing 737-200, crashed 12 mi off Makung, Penghu, killing 13. During landing, a nosewheel tire blew. The crew performed a go-around during which the aircraft crashed; the wreckage was found on March 10 in 190 feet of water.
- On 3 May 1986, Flight 334, a Boeing 747-200F, was hijacked by its pilot, who landed the plane in Guangzhou, China where he defected. The ROC government sent a delegation to discuss with their mainland counterpart regards the return of the plane and 2 remaining crew.
- On 26 October 1989, Flight 204, a Boeing 737-200, struck a mountain near Hualien, Taiwan after the crew used the climbout procedure of the incorrect runway, causing the aircraft to make a wrong turn. All 54 passengers and crew aboard were killed.
- On 29 December 1991, Flight 358, a Boeing 747-200F (the same aircraft that was involved in the Flight 334 hijacking), hit a hillside near Wanli, Taiwan after separation of its No.3 & 4 engines, killing all five crew on board.
- On 4 November 1993, Flight 605, a brand new Boeing 747-400, overran the Kai Tak Airport runway 13 while landing during a typhoon. It had touched down more than 2/3 down the runway and was unable to stop before the end of the runway, finishing up in Hong Kong harbor. All 396 people on board were safely evacuated but the aircraft was written off. The vertical stabilizer was dynamited away due to its interference with Kai Tak's ILS systems.
- On 26 April 1994, Flight 140, an Airbus A300, crashed while landing at Nagoya, Japan due to crew error, killing 264 of 271 on board.
- On 16 February 1998, Flight 676, an Airbus A300, crashed after a failed missed-approach at Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard along with 7 on the ground, including ROC Central Bank chief Hsu Yuan-Dong.
- On 22 August 1999, Flight 642, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11, flipped over while landing at Hong Kong airport during a typhoon. Three people were killed.
- On 25 May 2002, Flight 611, a Boeing 747-200B, broke up in mid-air on the way to Hong Kong International Airport in Hong Kong from Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan. All 206 passengers and 19 crew members died. The aircraft was the last 747-200 in China Airlines' passenger fleet. The cause was improper repair after a tailstrike incident in Hong Kong in 1980.
- On 20 August 2007, Flight 120, a Boeing 737-800 inbound from Taipei caught fire shortly after landing at Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. After stopping on the tarmac, the engine started smoking and burning, and later exploded causing the aircraft to catch fire. A statement from the airline confirmed that all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated, and a ground engineer knocked off his feet by the blast was unhurt. The cause of the explosion has been attributed to a fuel leak caused by a bolt from the right wing slat puncturing the fuel tank.
§See also
- List of airports in Taiwan
- List of Taiwanese companies
- Transportation in Taiwan
- Air transport in Taiwan
§References
§External links
- China Airlines
- China Airlines Cargo Service
- China Airlines Fleet Age
- China Airlines Fleet Detail
- Ho, Jessie. "China Airlines takes air safety to new levels." Taipei Times. Monday December 24, 2004.
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